North Kensington Social Justice Archive
The North Kensington Social Justice Archive is being created to preserve and share the history of social justice campaigns, community action and local activism in North Kensington. The project will include:
- a permanent archive access point at North Kensington Library
- an online archive to explore archive materials
- opportunities for local people to contribute stories, documents and memories
About the archive
North Kensington has led many campaigns for social justice and equality for over 150 years.
In summer 2022, community members proposed creating the North Kensington Social Justice Archive (NKSJA) to preserve and share these stories.
In spring 2023, the council committed to supporting the archive in the North Kensington area.
We're now developing the archive in collaboration with local communities, with plans for a new archive access point at North Kensington Library and a future online archive.
Developing the archive
We have been through several stages to develop the archive:
Community research and discovery phase
The project began with a 6 month discovery phase.
This phase gathered independent input from the North Kensington communities. It also gave us a better understanding of what the community wanted from the Archive.
Discovery phase report
UCL Consultants led the engagement work.
Their Discovery Phase Report sets out findings and recommendations:
- the report is 109 pages long
- pages 4 to 16 provide an executive summary
- the summary gives an overview of the project and its recommendations
You can find physical copies of the report at:
Council response
Cllr Kim Taylor-Smith, Deputy Leader of the Council and Lead Member for Employment, Culture and Economy, said:
“North Kensington is a special part of London that has been the backdrop to countless historic moments, campaigns and fights for social justice. We support the creation of a North Kensington Social Justice Archive to make a centralised home to commemorate and reflect on the important contributions from local people and groups. My thanks to UCLC for their work on the discovery phase report, and also to the community in North Kensington for their ongoing contribution, support and patience as we work to create a Social Justice Archive we can all be proud of.
“In February, the Council will share our proposed response to the Discovery Phase report for further consideration by our Select Committee, which will scrutinise how we will co-design the Community Steering Board, and our action plan which maps out the archive’s development, incorporating the accepted recommendations including the natural home for the archive being in North Kensington Library. I have heard loud and clear that the community want to see this important project delivered, and that is what I am committed to doing.”
Dr Pablo Sendra, Associate Professor of Planning & Urban Design at UCL, and author of the report, said:
“This has been a fascinating project. During the discovery phase of the North Kensington Social Justice Archive, we engaged with community archives, residents interested in local history, young people, and various groups and individuals that have contributed to social justice and supported communities in North Kensington. Local people are eager to see a Social Justice Archive where they can celebrate, share, and learn about the history of the area. As many residents put it, a place to learn about the past and inspire a more socially just future.”
A full response from the council and timeline for how the Archives and Local Studies team, in collaboration with the community, planned to progress after the discovery phase was presented alongside the report to the Family Services Select Committee for further consideration and scrutiny on Tuesday 4 February 2025.
Further reading
- Family Services select committee paper, 4 February 2025
- The approach was agreed via a Key Decision in May 2025. Read the Key Decision Social Justice Archive.
Archive access point
A dedicated archive access point is being developed within North Kensington Library. The space will allow visitors to explore archive materials, learn about local social justice movements and engage with community histories.
In October 2025, we ran consultation sessions to develop a design brief for the archive access point.
Following a tender process, Jan Kattein Architects (JKA) were appointed as the architect for the project.
We're now gathering feedback on their emerging designs for the space.
View the consultation boards
You can view the consultation boards online (PDF, 13.17 MB) or in person at North Kensington Library.
If you have any feedback, send us an email.
Get involved
There are several ways to get involved with the North Kensington Social Justice Archive, from responding to consultations and sharing materials to applying for current opportunities.
Open call: acoustic curtain public art commission
Closing date: Friday 30 October 2026
We're inviting artists and artist collectives to submit proposals for a new permanent public artwork for the North Kensington Social Justice Archive at North Kensington Library.
You'll create a large-scale artwork for an acoustic curtain that will become a central feature of the archive space
We welcome a range of artistic approaches and encourage applications from artists with a connection to North Kensington or whose practice explores themes of social justice.
View the design brief (PDF, 1.33 MB)
Other ways to get involved
- share your stories, collections and documents
- receive project updates
- attend our quarterly North Kensington Community Forum at North Kensington Library for project updates. Anyone is welcome to attend and meeting dates are advertised in the library in advance
Contact us
For more information or to get involved, email our team.
Email: [email protected]